John thielen



(No Model.)

J. THIELEN. NECK YoKE CENTER.

EMy/e 1 wg, \\\\\\\\\\M 1 u Unirse TATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN THIELEN, OF FREMONT, `NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR ONE-HALF TO THE FREMONT SADDLERY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

NEok-YQKE CENTER.

VSPECIFICA'IION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 523,383, dated July 24, 1894.

Application filed Octoberl 31, 1893.

To al? whom it may concern.-

Be 1t known that I, JOHN THIELEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fremont, 1n the county of Dodge and State of Nebraska, have lnvented a new and useful Neck-Yoke genter, of which the following is a specificaion.

The invention relates to improvements in neck-yoke centers; and the objects in view are to provide a cheap and simple center for neckyokes, the same being capable of being constructed or produced from scrap leather; which will be strong and durable, readily apphed'to neckyokes, and adapted to fit different sizes of yokes.

Other objects and advantages of the inventlon w1ll appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a front. elevation of a neck-yoke center embodymg my invention. Fig. 2 is a reverse v1ew of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the center. Fig. 4 1s a slmilar view to one side of the center or through one of the screws and its hole. Fig. 5 1s a detail in perspective of the reinforcingplate.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts 1n all the figures of the drawings.

In the practice of my invention, it being oneof my main objects `to reduce the costby utillzing scrapleather, I employ several layers of the same, cutting them to the desired shape exteriorly to form the center 1, having the eye 2, and stitching the same adjacent to the edges of the eye and to the center. The underl side of the center thus formed is skived away so as to produce at the upper end of the center the exible yoke embracing-Hap or tongue 3. This iiap or tongue embraces the neck-yoke 4 in the usual manner, and is located thereon between the usual annular bearlngs 5' with which the said yoke is provided. Uponthe exterior of the exible flap at the rear side thereof I apply a metal-plate 6, said plate when viewed in cross-section, being anguiar. The upper end of this plate is provlded with a series of rivet holes 7, and rivets 8 pass through these holes and the flexible iiap. The plate is preferably cast, and at its Serial No.489,657. (No model.)

the perforations 9 in the plate I""pass a pair of stout screws 13,' the threads of which engage with threads formed in the perforations 9 of the metal-plate, and the heads of the screws riding upon the Washer 1l at the front side of the center.

By means of the elongated openings I may.

increase or decrease the size of the loop produced by the iap and thus accommodate the aforesaid center to yokes of various diameters.

It is generally known that the weakest point in a leather neck-yoke center is at the point of connection between ythe center and the flap, and I therefore, in order to strengthen this point, employ the metal-plate described, as well as the washer-plate, so that a thorough reinforcement of this heretofore weak point is made. It will also be seen that the angular plate 6, which is arranged on the outer end of the iiap, forms a rigid support for the screws. 13, and that during the twisting of the neck yoke, incident to its use, the strain, at the point of attachment of the flap to the body -ofthe neck yoke, is greatly reduced owing to the loose connection between the iiap and the body, established by the elongated openings 10 and that the body portion of the neck yoke center is permitted a limited movement on the end of the flap, in order that it may give to the strain, and to `prevent any liability of the leather breaking the stitches and cracking at this point and separating the layers.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I am enabled by my invention to employ scrap-leather for the purpose of pr0 p ducing the center, and that the same by reason of my invention is strong and durable.

Having described my invention, what I claim is-- f 1. The herein described neck yoke center IOO doubled on itself to form a yoke receiving loop and having the terminal of the folded portion rigidly supported and loosely connected with the body portion of the neck yoke center, whereby the said body portion is permitted a limited movement at the point of attachment to relieve it of strain, substantially as described.

2. The herein described improved neckyoke-center, the same being doubled upon itself to form a yoke-receiving loop, and having opposite its terminal elongated openings, ametal angular-plate arranged `at the rear side of the center and provided with threaded perforations agreeing with the elongated openlngs in the center and with similar perforations formed in the terminal, a washerplate at the front side of the center and perforated to correspond therewith, and screws passed through the perforations in the washerplate, and the perforations in the terminal and rear reinforcing-plate and engaging threads in the latter, and arranged in the elongated openings of the neck yoke center,

the center, an angular plate riveted to the exterior ot' the flap and correspondingly perforated, a washer-plate upon the front center, and screws passed through the plate and the perforations of the center, flap, and plate and engaging threads in the latter, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence ot two witnesses.

JOHN TIIIELEN.

Witnesses:

J. W. GOFF, CLARENCE RECKMEYER. 

